OK... final grasp at a straw - your set of chairs for when they are not visiting, and when extended family come over, bring out fold out chairs with washable slipcovers? I know how difficult it is when you want to have a room that you like but you are having to adapt it for just for the one-off occasions and not as you would like it ideally. Perhaps that might work so you get what you want (most of the time!)

For such a quirky and interesting table in a bohemian and eclectic interior I would consider a set of eight Philippe Starck Ghost Chairs. The classic lines would complement the design of your table, but the clear polycarbonate would not conceal that wonderful pedestal. In addition they are stackable, so you could stack four in a corner, and have four chairs out for everyday use.There are reproductions available, however the polycarbonate is not the same quality as the original Kartell brand, and seems to be more brittle and prone to snapping. The clear ones are classic and are readily available, but I think one of the transparent, smoked versions (perhaps with the gold tint) would work even better. http://www.spacefurniture.com.au/louis-ghost.html Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

The dining room is only 3.3 x 3, you do not have room for a table and lounge chairs plus a walkway to outside. Again, the family room is only 3.1 metres wide. This is not enough room for a dining suite and a lounge to be a comfortable space, since again it is a thoroughfare to the terrace. Mark the size of your furniture on the floors with masking tape. Allowing for areas to pull out chairs and comfortably walk around the table, and to outside. The family room could have a long eight seater dining table up towards the kitchen, and then maybe, two single lounge chairs in the space with all the sliding doors.

Hi again everyone and thanks again for all your suggestions re my chairs. So to update....7 months later I finally have my chairs back (between the polisher and the upholsterer it took much longer than anticipated). I ended up choosing a textured blue velvet, not a navy but a mottled royal blue similar to my little painted bookshelf. Im glad I did as the frames turned out darker and much more orange tinted than I wanted so thankfully the blue fabric tones the orange down somewhat (the polisher was supposed to do a test patch first for us to see...but annoyingly didnt and just went ahead and finished them before we'd confirmed the timber colour was okay to proceed with) Bur overall Im pleased with the result as I didnt want to be TOO safe and thankfully the textured fabric does not look like a solid plain colour - I ended up ruling out any patterned fabric as although I did get some patterned fabric samples I felt they just didnt really work with the rest of the patterns or decor in this area, or do justice to the chairs, and I find the blue chairs with the blue cabinet create an interesting little colourful 'nook' (especially when teamed with my old persian rug) in an otherwise very neutral coloured, large airy space that compliments and brings together the splashes of blue and the similar coloured full-room sized persian rug in the opposite part of this open plan living/dining room. Also my vintage Liberty fabric cushions which I was adamant on using compliment the colour perfectly, so thats a win! But thanks again everyone for all the helpful comments